From a Lithium Aryl Oxide

Anhydrous samarium(III) chloride Rare Earth Products, Johnson Matthey] (2.40 g, 9.40 mmol) is placed in a 200-mL Schlenk tube containing a magnetic stirring bar. Tetrahydrofuran (THF) (lOOmL) is introduced via a cannula at 20 °C. The mixture is stirred at 20 °C for 2 h. Solid (2,6-di-tert-butylphenoxo)-lithium-diethyl etherate (8.13g, 28.4 mmol) is added to this slurry at 20 °C. A reflux condenser is then fltted to the Schlenk tube, and the reaction mixture is heated under reflux for 8 h. After h, the solid dissolves to yield a clear yellow-green solution. The solvent is removed at 25 and 10 torr, leaving a yellow-green solid, which is scraped from the sides of the Schlenk tube with a spatula and transferred to a sublimation tube. Sublimation at 255-260 °C and 10 torr aflbrds yellow crystals of tris(2,6-di-tert-butyl-phenoxo)samarium. Yield 4.46 g (62%).  

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